Siheyuan: Pioneer in anti-corruption, fighting against evil!

If Lao Zhou is not stopped, he will get entangled with Li Mao, and it will be troublesome to delay bringing the lunch box.

"Old Zhou, stop it. Li Mao is trying to make you angry on purpose. Don't fall for his trick."

Li Mao had already run far away, knowing that he could outrun Lao Zhou and had no intention of staying to get beaten.

Old Zhou said nonchalantly, "Sister Xiulan, don't worry. Teaching Li Mao a lesson is just a small matter. It will not delay the reception."

Qin Xiulan desperately held onto Lao Zhou: "Have you forgotten how good Li Mao is at running away recently? What if he runs away and you delay the reception?"

Lao Zhou felt the warmth in Qin Xiulan's hand, and his heart was filled with joy. "It doesn't matter if it's delayed. Deputy Director Li exploits the workers all day long. If we don't entertain him this time, the workers will suffer less exploitation."

Qin Xiulan secretly comforted herself that Lao Zhou was an honest and straightforward man and there was no need to argue with him.

"Old Zhou, have you ever thought about this? Gouzi hasn't had a good meal for several days. Even if you don't think about me, you should think about Gouzi. Everyone else in the yard has money to buy meat for their children, but we don't. You say my life is so miserable, and you don't help me. Woo..."

Seeing Qin Xiulan crying, Lao Zhou felt extremely guilty. He thought of how everyone in the courtyard had enjoyed delicious food these days, but only Qin Xiulan and the deaf grandmother had no meat to eat, and he was furious.

If he had enough money, he would definitely buy some meat for the deaf grandmother and Qin Xiulan, so that everyone in the yard could see what filial piety and selflessness are.

But the reality is that we are short of money and all this is just wishful thinking.

"Sister Xiulan, don't worry, I will definitely bring some delicious food back for the dog today."

When Qin Xiulan heard what Lao Zhou said, she was overjoyed. After giving him a few instructions, she returned to the workshop humming a song.

Li Mao was relieved to see that Lao Zhou did not come to chase him.

Zhang Xiao'e walked out from the backyard with a depressed look on her face. After seeing Lin Qiang, she forced a smile.

"Sister Zhang, what's wrong? Are you worried about something again?" Lin Qiang asked with concern.

Zhang Xiao'e walked into Lin Qiang's room, sighed and said, "What good news is there? The one who gives me a headache in the yard is still that hard-of-hearing old lady. She came to see me again this afternoon, still with the same old tune. She insisted that you and He Dayong were not good people. If it were the Anti-Japanese War era, you two would definitely be traitors and puppet soldiers."

Xiaoyu, who was playing nearby, heard Zhang Xiaoe's words and said unhappily, "My brother is a real hero. How could he be a traitor or a puppet soldier?"

Zhang Xiao'e asked Xiaoyu with a smile: "Do you know what traitors and puppet soldiers mean?"

Xiaoyu said proudly: "Of course I know. Teacher Ma told us about it in school."

Although Lin Qiang was born in a military family, he was somewhat confident in dealing with the old lady, but for Zhang Xiaoe, this was simply impossible. Her family background was already at a disadvantage, especially when facing such an elderly person. Once she was accused of a crime, the problem would be serious.

"Sister Zhang, why don't you go out for a walk or rest at home?" Lin Qiang suggested.

Zhang Xiao'e said distressedly: "It's okay at your house, but at home, I can't hide. She knocks on the window all the time, what can I do?"

Lin Qiang couldn't think of any good solution. The old lady was old, and if she made trouble unreasonably, it would be difficult to deal with her. After all, she was so old, and the street office couldn't forcefully intervene. If he wasn't careful, the old lady might really have an accident.

Unless the old lady dies, it would be too ridiculous to take her life in order to get rid of her entanglement.

Zhang Xiao'e complained softly: "It would be nice if I could work like you guys."

Lin Qiang had an idea. Zhang Xiaoe's inability to find a formal job did not mean that she could not do something within her ability. So he suggested that Zhang Xiaoe apply to be a volunteer at the street office. Being a volunteer can not only help others, but also help her pass the time. Moreover, the street office has always been supportive of volunteer services.

Zhang Xiaoe listened to Lin Qiang's suggestion and showed a rare smile on her face. Last time, she donated the money from her family directly to Director Wang and was praised. She was very happy for a long time.

"Okay, I'll do as you say. Tomorrow morning I'll go to Director Wang and ask for help with the street office."

Lin Qiang reminded Zhang Xiaoe that being a volunteer is not easy, sometimes it is very tiring, and you may not even get recognition from others.

But Zhang Xiaoe said firmly: "I would rather work outside than be schemed against here. I believe there are still most good people in this world."

She also realized that working outside helped to avoid being deceived. It was because the people in the courtyard had little contact with the outside world that they could be manipulated so easily.

It is unbelievable that a small old man can control everything. If it is a remote rural area, it is understandable that the village chief controls everything. But in BJ City, most of the people living in the courtyards are workers from the steel mill. It is simply crazy to let those old men have the final say.

Zhang Xiao'e found a solution and felt much better. She took Xiaoyu back to the house to chat.

Lin Qiang began to prepare the meal. He didn't have any meat today, so he planned to make some vegetarian dishes. He couldn't eat meat every day, as it would arouse suspicion if he did that for a long time.

As for Li Zhigui's agreement to exchange meat tickets, there has been no news so far. Lin Qiang can only get some more meat every few days.

Li Zhigui was helpless. It was not that he did not want to exchange meat coupons with Lin Qiang, but because his younger brother was getting married and needed to stock up on some meat dishes. The meat coupons had already been accumulated and were waiting to be used on the wedding day.

Thinking of this, Li Zhigui felt very uncomfortable.

In the inner courtyard, Zhou Zhonghai was in a bad mood as well. When he heard that the hard-of-hearing old lady had not completed the task, he immediately flew into a rage.

The problems in the yard's internal arrangements made him more annoyed than the affairs in the steel mill. The situation in the yard was related to his retirement plan, and there must be no mistakes.

"Are you saying that Tian Laofu, Qian Yingwu and Zhu Daming not only did not go along, but instead clearly supported Lin Qiang?"

The aunt nodded and said, "The Tian family has a good relationship with Lin Qiang, so it's normal for them to help him. But this will make it more difficult for us to deal with Lin Qiang in the yard."

"Bang!" Zhou Zhonghai slammed his fist on the table. This was not only a question of whether he could deal with Lin Qiang, but also related to the shaking of his power foundation. This matter could not be left unchecked.

Zhou Zhonghai decided to give up the land and money first.

---

In Zhao Zhongze's mind, he must not let anyone know that Granny Liu wanted to bring Erlang and Li Jingwen together. If the matter got out, Granny Liu's reputation would be ruined. Without Granny Liu's umbrella, what was the point of him keeping this old lady alive?

Li Jingwen was stunned after hearing what Zhao Zhongze said. She had been with Erlang for so long, but Erlang had never told her a single word from the heart. Was Erlang really on guard against her?

"Grandpa, Erlang is really old. If he doesn't get married, it will be even harder for him to find a wife in the future. I wonder which girl Granny Liu has taken a fancy to? Anyway, Erlang has been very good to our family over the years. I can't help him with other things, but I can still help him check and prevent him from being cheated."

Li Jingwen's words had a hidden meaning, meaning that if you tell me the candidate, I will help you get it.

Zhao Zhongze knew what she was thinking, but how could he possibly name the candidate? "Xiao Wen, the old lady does have such a plan, but she hasn't decided on anyone yet. But you have to understand that there is nothing that the old lady can't accomplish if she sets her sights on it. In fact, I think you two are a good match, what do you think?"

Li Jingwen was torn. If Erlang really got married, how could she borrow money from him? For the sake of her family's livelihood, she had to stop Erlang from getting married, and even if he did get married, he could only be with her.

However, Erlang is now extremely poor and has no competitiveness. If he were as capable as Wu Gang, she might consider it.

"Grandpa, you know my family's situation. I really don't want to drag Erlang down. Besides, Erlang has always wanted to marry an older girl, and he doesn't like someone like me at all."

Zhao Zhongze's face darkened: "How dare he! His family has always liked widowed women. If Erlang doesn't like you, why would he help you so much? Don't worry, after you marry Erlang, if he dares not treat you well, I will never forgive him!"

Li Jingwen sighed and glanced at her family: "Grandpa, I have thought about marrying Erlang, but what about my mother-in-law? Every time I say a few more words to Erlang, she scolds me for a long time. It's really too difficult. I don't want Xiaobang to hear those bad words."

Zhao Zhongze hesitated when Aunt Sun was mentioned. He was also afraid of Aunt Sun's aggressiveness. If Aunt Sun hadn't existed, he would have arranged the wedding for Erlang and Li Jingwen long ago.

I really hope that Granny Liu doesn't like Luo Xiaojuan, maybe she can let Granny Liu deal with Aunt Sun. Seeing Zhao Zhongze turn around and go back to the house, Li Jingwen felt relieved. She planned to delay Erlang until Xiaobang grew up, and before that, she must not get married.

Wang Kun waited for a long time at his home but He Damao didn't come back.

"This He Damao must have gone out to drink with someone again. Let's not wait for him. Xue'er is starving. Let's eat first."

Wang Kun was afraid that Xueer would be hungry, so he brought the dishes to the table and they all enjoyed them together.

He Damao, relying on his recent good health, accepted everyone who came to him, but he was soon surrounded by alcohol and passed out.

While he was drinking, all of Li Guofu's friends were enjoying themselves.

In the kitchen, Erlang prepared four boxes of vegetables for himself, intending to take them back to improve Li Jingwen's diet.

Liu Lan, who was helping out, gnashed her teeth in anger. Erlang ate all the food by himself and didn't share any with them.

Although Liu Lan was unwilling, she was unable to snatch the lunch box from Erlang, even if she asked Li Guofu for help.

I have to admit that Erlang's cooking skills are indeed superb. He may not be very well-known in high-end hotels, but in the factory in City B, he is definitely a first-class chef.

The rolling mill is full of activities and it is not convenient to eat out, so the factory naturally cannot do without such a top chef. Even though Li Guofu is dissatisfied with Erlang, he can't find a suitable replacement for the time being, so he has to tolerate him. Erlang has a bad temper and is difficult to deal with, so Li Guofu has to pretend to be deaf and dumb.